Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read When the Angels Left the Old Country.

This book was so freaking good, I can’t comprehend how much I enjoyed this reading experience. I loved how this book was written and the growth of the characters throughout the story. This was a unique and quirky story that I can’t wait to read again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido/Arthur A. Levine for letting me read When the Angels Left the Old Country in exchange for a review!

I will begin by saying I am a queer Ashkenazi Jew, but I consider myself both secular and Reform. My knowledge of Ashkenazi folklore is not as great as many of my friends’, nor am I as spiritual. What I loved and found myself greatly enjoying may be missing some deeper knowledge behind it.

I went to Hebrew School, and became a Bat Mitzvah— but my favorite time was when we’d go up to the small library to check out books. I’d endlessly reread collections entitled The Diamond Tree and Rachel the Clever, finding both a comfort and a sense of sameness between myself and the protagonist, even though we did not practice our shared religion the same way.

In When Angels Left the Old Country, I found the same feeling. Had this book been published some twenty years back, it would have joined my endless rotation of checking out, and hoping I might somehow “lose” to book so I might keep it. I’m sure Little Ash would find some amusement in that. The style was cozy and warm, like I was sitting and reading at my grandmother's house, like I was listening to my aunts and uncles, like the canter was reading one of the Chelm stories to my class.

As for Little Ash, the Angel, and Rose-- I love their journeys. The Angel into finding itself and grounding itself, Rose's journey into herself, and Little Ash growing not so little, but a force to be reckoned with despite his little magic. I loved the Judaism that made up the book, and I loved the deep relationship, that the Angel and Little Ash made of themselves, and adored watching it grow deeper and grow, just as the Angel had. This book is queer, undoubtably and gorgeously so.

Thank you so much for this book!

I love this book. I love reading historical fiction so i especially enjoyed the setting of this book. The world and plot was so interesting. The relationship between Little Ash and Uriel was everything. I loved how Little Ash supported Uriel without hesitation. Reading about Uriel trying to figure out who it is was so heartwarming. Also, Rose was incredible and a girl boss. I definitely recommend!